Quiet Festival This Week. Why Have One?

Post by Ocean City, NJ
on November 6, 2013

By Mark Soifer, Ocean City Publicist

I can’t tell you how many times people have stopped me on the street and shouted, “Hey Mark! why have a Quiet Festival?”

I can’t tell you, because no one ever has. But still, it’s a good question. We started the Quiet Festival because of the hectic pace of modern life, the noise, confusion, speed and to foster a greater appreciation for natural things like twirling maple pods, the horizon, interesting clouds, bubbles, yawning, the wind and even quiet pets.

The ulterior motive was to have another economical special event in Ocean City that no one else has. It is perhaps explained best by the “Quiet Festival Lament”: I do not hear your song, / I do not hear your words/I never watch the moon/ Or listen to the birds/ I’m lost in all the noise/ That saturates this space/ I weary of the clatter/ Find me a Quiet Place.”

The Quiet Festival Opening Ceremonies are set for noon on Friday, Nov. 8 in the park across from City Hall, 9th and Asbury Ave. The renowned Yawn Along Ensemble will yawn to the tune of Beautiful Dreamer accompanied by the World’s Only Wind Chimes Band, acclaimed, soprano Nancy Fox, will sing a quiet aria, maple pods will be tossed into the air and twirl down to earth like tiny helicopters, bubbles will rise into the blue, paper airplanes will sail, there will be leaf squeezing, pin dropping and much more.

An open poetry reading is scheduled at the Library, 17th and Simpson Ave., Friday at 7 p.m. It’s free, come to read or listen.

Highlight of the Festival is set for Saturday, Nov. 9 at 10:30 a.m. at the Ocean City Community Center, 17th and Simpson in the Senior Center. This is a free event for children, their parents and anyone else who wants to be entertained. It includes a Quiet Pet Contest, a performance by quiet Magician Chad Juros, free cartoons for kids of their favorite animal, by quiet cartoonist, Jerry Lukas, the Quiet Turtle Singers with their friendly giant tortoise, Big Bart, an ethereal harpist and the Snore at the Shore, the world’s only quiet snoring contest.

The Quiet Pet contest provides quiet pet owners with an opportunity to show off their best friends and win prizes. It is open to Hamsters, White Mice, Guinea Pigs, Turtles, Rabbits, Ferrets, and Birds. You want to enter another kind of quiet pet? Let us know. Call (609) 525-9300.

On Sunday, you’re on your own. Create your own quietness: fly a kite, take a walk, listen to the Ocean, enjoy the stars, give your dog a belly rub, whatever… For Information on the Quiet Festival, call (609) 525-9300, after hours and on weekends (609) 364-4010 or email msoifer@hotmail.com.

(Nov. 9) The Ocean City Community Assn. will hold a CLEAN-UP at Corson’s Inlet State Park from 9 a.m. to noon. Volunteers should meet at the parking lot near the bridge traveling from Ocean City to Strathmere. Clean-up supplies will be provided and refreshments will be available. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. For information contact tmcoggshall@gmail.com.

(Nov. 11) Remember Our VETERANS: The Annual Veterans Day Program will be held at Memorial Park, 5th and Wesley Ave., at 11 a. m. For more information, call (609) 525-9300.

(Nov. 12) The Ocean City Fine Arts League presents free pre-screened films featuring artists and art trends every month through December. The films are shown at the Ocean City Library, 17th and Simpson Ave. at 6:30 p.m. “Like Water for Chocolate will be shown, the story of Tita, who is forbidden by her mother to marry. Her only solace is cooking. She magically whisks her sorrow and longings into her feasts so that all who partake experience her feelings as she does.

(Nov. 14) Ocean City High School’s 8th Annual Scholarship Dinner will be held at the High School Cafeteria (5th Street Entrance) from 5 to 7 p.m. Enjoy a specialties of local chefs and music by Mr. Tym Cox and his jazz ensemble. Attendees will receive a program book and a chance to win door prizes. Tickets are $25 per person, children 3 to 10 are $10 and children under 3 are free. All proceeds benefit high school scholarship. The event is sponsored by the Ocean City High School Leadership Club. For information and tickets contact Ms. Amy DePasquale (609) 399-1290 ext. 1312 or adepasquale@ocsdnj.org.

(Nov. 14) The Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award will be presented to Drew Fasy, owner of N.J. Realty and Pastor Brian Roberts, Senior Pastor at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church at the Ocean City Yacht Club, Bay and Battersea Rd., 6 p.m. Social Hour, 7 p.m. dinner. Following Super Storm Sandy, the two civic leaders, co-chaired OCNJ C.A.R.E. that mobilized hundreds of volunteers and was instrumental in facilitating the recovery from Super Storm Sandy. Dinner reservations are $55 per person. Call (609) 399-1412 or email info@oceancitychamber.com.

(Nov. 14) Senior WALKABILITY WORKSHOP: The New Jersey Department of Transportation invites Seniors, community decision makers and advocates who want to help shape the Transportation future of our communities to attend a meeting 9 a.m. to noon at the Ocean City Senior Center, 1735 Simpson Ave. The purpose of the meeting is to learn about best practices in walkable community design for Seniors, better understand the needs of our seniors, and engage N.J. decision makers on how to confront this challenge in Ocean City. Please RSVP (609) 512-3542 or blaisdellaw@pbworld.com .

(Nov. 16-17) Christmas ARTS & CRAFTS Festival: This event features finest artisans on the East Coast exhibiting and selling one of a kind specialties ideal for gift giving during the holiday season. The show is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Ocean City Music Pier, Boardwalk and Moorlyn Terrace. Free parking. Contribution of $3 supports local charities. Children under 12 free. Call 1-800-822-4112.

(Nov.17) A Celebration: The Historic Flanders Hotel will hold a 90th Anniversary Gala from 4 to 8 p.m. “The Jewell of the Southern Jersey Shore” invites you to join as they celebrate this special occasion for the benefit of the Ocean City Historical Museum. The day will include a Display of Flanders Memorabilia and Antiques, Presentation of the History of the Flanders, Butler Hors d’oeuvres and a full course dinner with music and dancing. Tickets are $50 a person with all profits donated to the Ocean City Historical Museum. Tickets can be purchased at the Historical Museum, 17th and Simpson Ave., (609) 399-1801 or The Flanders Hotel, 609-399-1000.

ART CENTER TRIP TO NEW YORK: The Ocean City Arts Center will sponsor a trip to New York on Dec. 5 to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Tickets are $39. Reservations may be made by calling the Ocean City Arts Center, (609) 399-7628. The Museum’s new European Paintings Gallery features 700 works from Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Great Britain and the Netherlands from 1250 to1800 will be open. The World Textile Trade Exhibit will also be open.